The Youth Action Lab envisions a world where young people are engaged, empowered, and connected—shaping policy, leading initiatives, and driving solutions with long-term impact. The programme builds on the voices and priorities of young people to create sustainable opportunities for action and advocacy across 12 African focus countries and Europe.
Key Opportunities
1. The AU-EU Youth Action Lab Grants
Are a key component of the programme, offering 110 flexible and inclusive grants ranging from €5,000 to €50,000 to support youth-led initiatives addressing local and global challenges across Africa and Europe. These grants empower young people to lead impactful solutions, foster collaboration, and strengthen connections between youth-led organizations and networks. The grants prioritize power-shifting by placing young people at the center of decision-making. View all grants here.
2. Digital Collaboration Platform
Connecting youth organizations through Power to Voices, a safe, inclusive space to co-create, share experiences, and scale solutions.
3. Capacity Strengthening
Providing tailored training, mentorship, and peer learning opportunities to help youth organizations thrive and amplify their impact.
Youth Advisory Board (YAB)
At the heart of the AU-EU Youth Action Lab is the Youth Advisory Board (YAB) — a group of diverse, dynamic young leaders who play a central role in shaping and steering the programme. They ensure that youth voices remain at the core of all decision-making processes, from designing the funding mechanism to selecting grant recipients. Representing under-represented and marginalized groups, the YAB co-creates strategies, promotes inclusivity, and drives meaningful engagement across Africa and Europe.
The YAB is more than an advisory body; it is a key decision-maker, actively shaping how funds are allocated and ensuring that the grants respond to the real priorities of young people. By empowering their peers and amplifying their voices, the YAB embodies the programme’s vision of power-sharing and youth-led change, ensuring the Youth Action Lab truly serves the needs of its participants.
